HEMEROTECA
18 junio, 2015
In June 8 to 12, ANIEME organized and led a six-day trade mission to the Far East
As a part of the Furniture Industry Sectorial Programme 2015, ANIEME organized an outward trade mission to China and South Korea, which received the support of ICEX and the collaboration of the Commercial Offices of Spain in Seoul and Shanghai, where the main networking meetings took place. The companies included in the mission were Losbu, Tapizados Dina, Mariano Farrugia, and Canella.
The trade mission, which began on Monday 8th June, followed previous market research and promotional activities, such as the collective participation of Spanish furniture companies in the Furniture China Shanghai, a fair that takes place every September and whose Spain’s pavilion has been coordinated by ANIEME since 2011. Main aim of this new mission to Seoul and Shanghai is to promote business contacts with local importers, distributors and specifiers in order to increase the presence of Spanish furnishing brands in the Chinese and South Korean markets.
The positive economic development of both countries and the increasing imports of Spanish furniture show that Spanish manufacturers of furniture, including from outdoor furniture to high-end classic décor, have real business opportunities in the higher segments of both the retail and contract markets.
Since the economic opening and after 20 years of rapid development, China has become a worldwide major producer and exporter of furnishing products. Moreover, as the result of the economic growth and rising living standards of people, accompanied by a progressive urbanization and strong real estate development, the consumption of furniture has received a strong impetus and count today with strong demand and good prospects.
As far as South Korea is concerned, in the latest years the economy has been growing above the 3%, the unemployment rate was 3.4% in 2014 and the country have been registering a trade surplus for three consecutive years. An effort that has led South Korea to become the fourth regional power, behind China, Japan and India, with a per capita income that rose from 103 $ in 1962 to 26,000 $ in 2013.
The significant increase in Spanish exports to certain Asian countries in recent years and the presence of millions of potential consumers show once again that we must look at Asia not only as competitor, but as a consumer of European furniture. The ANIEME trade mission to China and South Korea opens up, therefore, interesting business opportunities for those Spanish companies that not only produce differentiated and innovative products but have also focused their export to the Asia-Pacific region.
* For further information: www.muebledeespana.com
